Expo 2020 Dubai and DP World partner to position the UAE at the heart of future global trade

posted on 16/06/2016: 1868 views

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Emirates Group, and Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee, has witnessed the signing of an agreement making DP World the 'Premier Global Trade Partner' of Expo 2020 Dubai, the third premier partner to be announced to date.

The signing ceremony was attended by Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of the Expo Dubai 2020 Bureau, and Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation.

Also present was Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director-General of His Highness the Ruler's Court of Dubai, CEO of Investment Corporation of Dubai, and Vice Chairman of the Dubai Expo 2020 Higher Committee.

DP World is a leading enabler of global marine and inland trade, owns and operates 77 terminals globally, including the Port of Jebel Ali less than 10km from the Expo site, and will play a vital role in the supply chain for the Expo, which will bring together over 180 nations and 25 million visitors for what will be the world's largest event in 2020.

Reem Al Hashimy said, "Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to take place in the Middle East, Africa or South Asia. Serving an area with a collective population of nearly 3.2 billion people and a GDP of more than US$6.5 trillion, Expo 2020 will act as a gateway to one of the most important geo-economic trends shaping our world: the rise of emerging markets, developing countries and South-South trade. The partnership with DP World will play a central role in cementing the UAE's position at the heart of future global trade."

She added, "Trade and economic diversification are vital to the UAE's future. Through this agreement with DP World and our other partners, Expo 2020 Dubai will leave an economic legacy in the form of new business generation, GDP growth and job creation across the region."

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem said, "We are proud to become the Premier Global Trade Partner of Expo 2020. This is an ideal partnership as we have the same purpose: to make a better tomorrow. We are proud ambassadors globally for Dubai and the UAE, enabling trade in over half of the world's economy. Expo 2020 will capture the world's attention and will leave a strong legacy, and the same applies to DP World; we boost trade, build economies and create a positive future. We are a Dubai flagship company enabling trade in 40 countries and have a similar mind-set to Expo, thinking ahead, innovating for the future which makes us a natural choice as Expo 2020's global trade partner."

The partnership with DP World means that countries participating in Expo 2020 Dubai will be able to use ports in their home countries as well as Jebel Ali Port for their transport requirements as they prepare to take part in the global mega event, taking advantage of one of the most modern ports in the region, employing state of the art equipment and the infrastructure required to accommodate the world's largest container vessels.

The agreement will also offer wider opportunities for DP World to enhance its international profile and build long-lasting partnerships with the mega-event's participants, which will include nations, corporations and multilateral organisations.

The Premier Partnership, the highest of three tiers in Expo 2020's partnership programme, grants exclusive marketing rights and benefits to DP World, as well as the opportunity to have its own pavilion during the Expo and to remain in legacy.

DP World is at the heart of global trade, operating 77 marine and inland terminals in 40 countries across six continents, including both high-growth and mature markets.

According to the WTO, global trade was worth US$18.5 trillion in 2014. The Middle East, Africa and Asia together accounted for $6.904 trillion of that total.

The UAE was the world's 11th largest exporter in 2014, and has firm plans to reduce oil's contribution to national GDP to less than the current 30 percent. On 21st November, 2015, the UAE announced the details of the Emirates Science, Technology and Innovation Higher Policy. This is a US$82 billion plan to foster a knowledge economy, and prepare the UAE for a world beyond oil. - Emirates News Agency, WAM -